## Operational Readiness Review

Pre

- Flight

● Weather : Carefully check the latest weather and wind forecasts for the area that will be surveyed. Keep in mind that different terrains will generate different wind patterns, e.g., mountains and valleys, forests and open plains. Also note that wind patterns change at different altitudes. So just because there’s relatively no wind at 100 feet in altitude, doesn’t mean that there won’t be at 300 feet. For wind speed forecasts, see http://www.windfinder.com

.

● Hazards : Make ev ery effort to ensure that flight operations will not pose any undue risk to the personnel directly involved with the effort and to members of the public who are not directly involved. Likewise, make every effort to ensure that operations will not pose any undue risk to any property in the area. 1 airspace shall be performed with permission of

-- and in constant communication with

-- the controlling authority of the airspace. The controlling authority maintains the right to abort any UAV flights regardless of the stage the operation is in. Comply with all federal, state, and local laws, ordinances, covenants, and restrictions as they relate to UAV operations. Formally request permission from local government and local communities before flying over their airsp ace whenever possible or required. Likewise, request permission from both local government and local communities to take aerial photographs/videos.

● Airspace : Ensure that all operations take place at least three (5) miles (or the minimum distance required by local regulations) from any controlled airspace such as an airport or active airfield. Prior to taking off, be sure to scan the skies for any signs & sounds of aircraft. When flying, continue to look for aircraft. If you spot or hear any, immediately l and your UAV.

○ Site is away from nonessential participants, utility wires, and poles;

○ Ability to maintain adequate buffer zones between aircraft and personnel;

○ Minimize departures and landings over populated areas;

○ Take

- off site should be chosen to take into account local topography, ensuring a visible line of sight towards the UAV at all times. Typically the

1 This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search & Rescue and Law Enforcement

. http://www.suasnews.com/first

- to

- deploylanding site is the same as the launch site. However, an alternative landing site should be identified if the primary landing site becomes unusable or unsafe. To this end launch/landing sites should be selected based on the availability of an alternative landing site;

○ The availability of a mission “abort site” is not required but recommended. An abort site is one where the UAV may be “dumped” in the e vent of an emergency situation.

● Safety Software : UAVs increasingly have a number of failsafe options in case of failures or unexpected situations. These often include using methods of stabilization and an automated Return/Home option. Other features include fail

recovery software and UAV parachute

. 2 Make sure to test these fail safe mechanisms before you start flying. Do not fly without these failsafe
mechanisms.

● Hardware : Carry out a thorough inspection of the UAV airframe before the first flight by 3 :

○ Verifying all transmitter, on

- board aircraft and camera batteries are fully charged;

○ Checking all control surfaces for signs of damage, loose hinges, and overall condition; Looking over the wing/rotors to ensure they are in good structural condition a nd properly secured;

○ Checking the motor/engine and mounting system to make sure it is fi rmly attached to the airframe; Studying the propeller or rotor blades for chips, cracks, looseness and any deformation; Checking `the landing gear (if applicable) for damage, secure attachment and functional wheels;

○ Testing all electrical connections, mak ing sure they are plugged in and secured to the airframe;

○ Ensuring that all photography equipment and mounting system are secure and operational.

○ Check 3D location of GPS equipment controlling the autopilot. Also check the IMU movements in the ground cont rol software. If available check the UAV in stabilisation mode, ensuring that the control surfaces move towards the correct positions

2 “DIY parachute deploy mechanism for Multicopter,” DIY Drones, August 11, 2013, http://diydrones.com/forum/topics/diy

- parachute

- deployment

- mechanism

- f or

- multicopter

. 3 This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search & Rescue and Law Enforcement

. http://www.suasnews.com/first

- to

- deploy● Mission Plan : The mission plan shall contain all actions and contingencies for the mission planned. Any limiting factors in the flight environment may alter the intended operation and modify the mission plan accordingly. Contingency planning should include safe routes in the event of a system failure, degraded performance, or lost communication link, if such a failsafe exist s. 4 Mission plans will also include a flight plan when flying large UAVs and/or when flying complex missions. Complex missions include areas that have several ongoing UAV projects; are in dense urban areas and or close to airports. Small UAVs, especially w hen flown line

- of

- site, do not require formal flight plans. Mission plans and flight plans should be shared with other operators when flying complex missions.

● Public Awareness : Pro

- actively raise public awareness about intended flight plans/paths so as t o avoid scaring local communities and passersby. Consider using flyers, local radio and newspapers for disseminating this information, particularly when flying complex missions. Meet with the local community to propose and discuss the flight plan whenever possible. In addition, explain the technology and ask for their authorization before flying. Ideally, give something back to the community whenever possible (training, printed maps, etc). 5 Team

- up a local operator who has experience in the country, speaks the language and understands the culture. 6

● Camera & Settings : Ensure that the camera settings are appropriate to your mission. Make sure the camera batteries are fully re

- charged and that there is sufficient memory on the SD card to record the footage for your mission. Remember to start the video or photos before launching your UAV (you’d be surprised how easy that step is to overlook).

● Insurance : Make every effort to secure individual insurance and assume all liability for your actions. UAV NGOs and comp anies who collaborate with our UAV iators network are also expected to secure insurance.

● Obvious but for the Record : Do not operate UAVs while under the influence of alcohol or while using any drug that could adversely affect the ability to safely control the model.

4 This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search & Rescue and Law Enforcement

. http://www.suasnews.com/first

- to

- deploy
5 Drawn from DroneAdventures best practices.
6 Taken from DroneAdventures best practices.

### In

- Flight

● Basics : If flying manually, always keep your fingers on the controller/transmitter. Never let the UAV out of your sight even for a second. Climb to a safe altitude away from potential hazards and to reduce noise pollution. Keep aircraft at a safe operating distance from people, electric utility lines and buildings. If the UAV must be flown over buildings or people, use a lightweight UAV and maintain a safe altitude for recovery and make every effort to minimize exposure. 7

● Spotte r : Use a spotter whenever possible and appropriate, especially when flying by First Person View (FPV). 8

● Laws : Do not fly UAVs within five miles (or whatever is defined by local laws) of any private/commercial airport/helipad or a pre

- existing UAV flying site without a frequency

- management agreement. 9 Do not interfere with operations and traffic patterns at any airport, heliport or seaplane base except where there is a written mixed

- use agreement. Respect altitude limits as stated by local/national laws.

● Landing : Regardless of whether of a manual or automated UAV landing, scan landing area for potential obstruction hazards. Announce out loud “Preparing to Land”. Carefully land the aircraft away from obstructions and people. 10



### Post

- Flight

● Shutting Down : Turn the power off to the aircraft and/or disconnect the batteries. Turn off the transmitter. Turn the power off to the photo equipment. Visually check aircraft for signs of damage and/or excessive wear. Remove the unused fuel if applicable. Secure the air craft. 11

7 This text is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search & Rescue and Law Enforceme nt

. http://www.suasnews.com/first

- to

- deploy
8 Academy of Model Aeronautics, “ Document #540

- D ‘See and Avoid’ Guidance,” August 2012, http: //www.modelaircraft.org/files/540

- D.pdf.
9 Academy of Model Aeronautics, “Document #922 Procedure for RF Interference Testing between Model Sites,” http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/922.pdf ; Aca demy of Model Aeronautics, “Document #923 From the 2011 Official AMA National Model Aircraft Safety Code,” http://www.modelaircraft.org/files/923.pdf
10 This text is sourced directly from Gene Robi nson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search & Rescue and Law Enforcement

. http://www.suasnews.com/first

- to

- deploy
11 This tex t is sourced directly from Gene Robinson (2012). First to Deploy: Unmanned Aircraft for Search & Rescue and Law Enforcement

. http://www.suasnews.com/first

- to

- deploy● Check pictures : Verify that the UAV camera actually took the pictures. If not, or of bad quality, consider redoing the mission with a spare set of batteries.

● Logs : Keep a detailed logbook of all flights.

● Information Sharing : Request permission from local communities to share the resulting imagery, either privately or publicly for humanitarian purposes. Freely share imagery with local communities whenever possible. Consider printing the imagery on banners as these are much more durable than paper

.

● Ethics and Privacy : Fully respect privacy and remove identifiable information when requested and reasonably possible. For example, if aerial imagery is to be made public, blurr, obscure or remove any recognizable faces and/or related personal identifying information when this is technically feasible.

SAFETY NOTE:

Many flight controllers have an “Arm” and “Disarm” feature which prevents motors and propellers from spinning until the UAV motors are explicitly armed, even if the throt tle control is accidentally raised. This allows the operator to power up the UAV’s systems without risking accidental motor activation. Always ensure the UAV motors are disarmed until ready to test or fly, and whenever anyone could come into contact with t he propellers.